Boston Police Crack Down On Mosh Pits

No more moshing or slam-dancing allowed

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Boston police are cracking down on moshing at shows. The communal dance has already been banned at the House of Blues.

Boston cops are cracking down on heavy-metal head-bangers throughout the city who police believe have taken their mosh pits too far.

The police cited the infamous House of Blues for a license violation after a mosh pit broke out during a Feb. 21 show by Los Angeles band Flogging Molly, the Boston Herald reported.

Police noted that 60 concertgoers engaged in “aggressive mosh pit dance,” which resulted in human collisions and people getting thrown to the floor.

The communal dance that has been apart of the American hardcore punk and heavy-metal culture since the 1980’s apparently violated safety rules. The club was cited because security did not intervene.

“Dancing is a First Amendment right, but the behavior itself is a violation, especially when it becomes dangerous and a public safety hazard,” Boston police spokeswoman Officer Nicole Grant told the Boston Herald.

“The safety of our patrons is the top priority,” the House of Blues said in a statement.

Representatives of the popular concert venue said they are working with city officials to adhere to the concerns involving moshing.

No other Boston clubs have been cited for violent moshing. A City Hall hearing on moshing was held earlier this week.

Hardcore bands that feed off of the aggressive dance style at their live shows were outraged after the House of Blues was ordered to post up illuminated signs announcing that moshing is now banned in the venue.

Brian Fair, vocalist for Grammy-nominated metal band Shadows Fall, told the Boston Herald that the crackdown is “ridiculous.”